PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 

 NATIONAL PARKS. 



By STEPHEN T. MATHER. 



DEPARTMENT Or THE INTERIOR, 

 Washington, D. C., November H, 1916. 



MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: In assigning me, among other things, 

 the duty of exercising administrative supervision of the national 

 parks and general control of their development and operation as 

 playgrounds for the American people, you expressed your firm be- 

 lief that the scenery and natural features of scientific interest in 

 these parks surpassed those of any other country ; and you cherished 

 the hope that they should become the objectives of American tourist 

 travel, not only for the duration of the great European war but 

 after its conclusion and the restoration of peace. 



You requested me to make every effort to provide accommodations 

 in the national parks for all classes of visitors, and to give as much 

 attention to the needs of the tourist with a small income as to those 

 of the wealthy visitor accustomed to luxury. You were particularly 

 desirous that the creature comforts of all park visitors be provided 

 and that every precaution be taken to make travel on all roads and 

 trails safe. You recognized the necessity for encouraging travel 

 to the parks and approved plans for making better known their 

 beauty and grandeur. You regarded the national parks as a great 

 economic asset which had theretofore been entirely overlooked by 

 the Federal Government, and authorized me to begin their develop- 

 ment on a broad-gauge scale. 



I take pleasure in advising you at this time that every phase of this 

 assignment has received attention and that much has been accom- 

 plished. The results that I have to report are gratifying, and demon- 

 strate the wisdom of undertaking this comprehensive development. 

 These results I will briefly outline, 



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